Probably put this in the wrong section, if so can one of the Mods find a more suitable place for it. Thought it might be a nice idea to come up with a list for those that will be / thinking about upping sticks and moving out of the UK. Obviously i have my own selfish reasons for doing this!! So what things do you need to do when you're leaving the UK for a period of time / forever? Found this one on the internet for Oz and New zealand. I've adapted it slightly. Before you move 12 months to go Make sure you have at least 2 years left on your passports. Dig out all your personal paperwork, including birth, adoption and marriage certificates, employment refeences, driving licences and qualifications. Apply for your visas Put your house on the market. (if required, I tihkn this is a little personally) Get your finances in order, consolidate bank accounts and reduce debts. Consider talking to your employer about your migration plans. Talk to your childrens schools about your plans and ask them to prepare hand-over files. Discuss your plans with extended family and friends. 6 months to go Get quotes from removals companies and flights and get them booked. If you are shipping pets, make sure they are fully innoculated and fir to travel. Your vet can advise you. Pet passport and rabis jabs. Consult the DEFRA website. Get quotes and book pet shipment. (Doing this right now, god its expensive!!) Sell any unwanted items of furniture and clear out cupboards. Give formal notice to your employer and ensure you get your P45. Ask your doctor, dentist,optician for your hand-over files. Open a local bank account. Request credit references from your bank,building society or any other lending agent. (don't know how relivant this is for the Phils) Identify temporary accommodation in case your house sells sooner than expected and you have to move out 2 months to go Track down temporary accommodation in the Phils if you haven't got anything sorted already. Register children in new schools. Start having Goodbye parties now as time runs away at the end. Organise all birthday cards and presents for the next 3 months. Request up to date statements on any endowments, pensions and investments. Depending on your tenancy agreement, give notice to your landlord if renting your property. 1 month to go Give your change of address to your bank, passport office, DVLA, pension company, inland revenue, insurance brokers and accountants. If leaving a proprty in the Uk update your home and contents insurance cover. Bring council tax and utilities up to date and cancel accounts for TV, internet, phone and insurance. Go to a car boot sale / ebay to sell any items you don't want to take with you, or donate them to a charity shop. Arrange all your post to be redirected to a friend or relative. Transfer funds to to local bank account depending on exchange rate Start packing non essential items. Collect all hand-over files from doctor, dentist, optician, schools etc. Arrange some private health cover if required. Pay off any outstanding debts. Close any surplus bank accounts and destroy unwanted cards. Shred any personal records you are not taking and dispose of. Confirm the removal people are booked. Ensure all your relevant paperwork is in a handy travel file. Cancel any redundant direct debits or standing orders. 1 week to go Cancel any newspapers, milk or satellite TV subscriptions. Sell your car, bike, van or any other transport you wont be needing. Cancel car insurance. Throw more Goodbye parties! Ensure that any goods to be shipped are either about to leave the UK or are on their way. Organise any presents and cards your children may want to send to their friends prior to leaving. 1 day to go Make sure transport to the airport is organised and will arrive in plenty of time for the flight. Establish who will be coming to the airport to say goodbye. Pack activity sets and small gifts to amuse young children on the flight. Get a good night's sleep When you get there On arrival Contact people back home to let them know you have arrival safely. Try not to sleep through the day. Set up a Pay-as-you-Go mobile phone to start your off. Find your nearest internet cafe for property and area research. Take a few days to get over the journey and explore the area. 1 week later Contact your new employer to confirm you have arrived. If required. Explore the area or suburb you think you would like to live in and ask the locals as many questions as possible. Meet with rental agents and start reviewing some accommodation property options. Find a reputable lawyer / solicitor to help with rental or purchase contracts. Consider buying a car, though local transport is cheap. Get car insurance. Register at a local school and arrange to meet your children's new teachers. Get a landline installed and set up internet access. Invite your neighbours around for drinks and focus on making new friends for you and your children. 1 month later Review your financial position and transfer more funds if required. Set up standing orders for utilities. Register for your local doctor and dentist, and for Medicare (Oz). Meet with mortgage brokers to understand your borrowing capacity. Visit your children's schools to ensure that they have settled in ok. Identify a reliable plumber, electrician and mechanic in your area. Consider re-writing your will. Discuss your first month with your employer and resolve any problems that may have cropped up. Start to attend social functions or join a sports club.
Be sure to call into the CFO in London to get your sticker in your passport as you wont be allowed out of the country. Whoops, sorry, wrong direction. Seriously though it looks pretty comprehensive.
